METHOD OF PROVIDING PRODUCT DEMONSTRATIONS

• US 20070288251A1
• Filed: 12/29/2006
• Published: 12/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: Ebrom, Matthew Peter, Glotzbach, Mark Eugene, Molloy, Philip A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,856,036 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/1.100
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/58 Indications or alarms to the control system or to the user
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 34/05 for wireless communication between components, e.g. for remote monitoring or control
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 34/32 characterised by graphical features, e.g. touchscreens
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Abstract

A method of enabling adaptable demonstrations of products provides products with an internal communications network among at least two components, and includes distributing the products to vendors in different markets, providing to each vendor at least one smart device capable of assuming control of a component in the products, and distributing demonstration software to the vendors having smart devices. The demonstration software is unique to the vendor and/or the market so that the smart devices in different markets or among different vendors can be uniquely adapted to cause demonstration of the components in the products.

Claims

1. A method of enabling adaptable demonstrations of products comprising the steps of:

providing products with an internal communications network among at least two components,

distributing the products to vendors in different markets,

providing to each of more than one vendor at least one smart device capable of assuming control of a component in at least one of the products;

distributing demonstration software to the vendors having smart devices, wherein the demonstration software is unique to one of the vendor and the market,

whereby the smart devices in different markets or among different vendors can be uniquely adapted to cause demonstration of at least one component in the products.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the products are household appliances.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the demonstration software is distributed by way of a data communications network, accessible by the at least one smart device.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the smart devices have a communication link to an external memory device from which to change the demonstration software, and the demonstration software is distributed by way of a memory device supplied to the vendors.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the products include software architecture implemented on the internal communications network that identifies the components, communicates the capabilities of each identified component, communicates the status of each identified component, provides a command interface for operating the components, and facilitates communication between the components and devices external to the product.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the demonstration software is configured to deliver advertising unique to one of the vendor and the market.

7. A method of claim 1 wherein the smart devices are configured to transmit and receive signals with interactive devices that are in communication with one of the product and the smart device, and the demonstration software is configured to uniquely demonstrate the products in response to communications with the interactive devices.